By Jeremy Lang
As the incoming managing director of Business Partners Limited, the start of this year is particularly exciting. It’s a true new beginning. It’s also a chance to reflect on the year that was and set strategic goals for the coming 12 months. But as every entrepreneur knows, New Year’s optimism can quickly revert to the daily grind if there isn’t a deliberate practice in place to review and revise those goals.
Reviewing your goals allows you to reconnect with your business’s purpose and make sure you’re still on the right trajectory. Are there gaps that need to be addressed? Are there opportunities that haven’t yet been identified? Revising those goals ensures they remain relevant and aligned with your broader vision and mission. Let’s unpack how this process can set you up for success:
Provides clarity and focus
Reviewing your goals is an opportunity to weed out inefficiencies and refocus your efforts on what truly matters – objectives that will deliver the greatest impact. When goals are clear and prioritised, teams perform better, and resources are allocated more effectively.
Reinforces accountability
Regularly revisiting goals keeps everyone accountable. It’s easy to drift off course in the demands of daily operations. Check in on progress to ensure that individuals and teams remain committed and understand their contributions to the bigger picture.
Boosts adaptability
The business landscape is constantly changing. Staying rigid with outdated goals won’t keep you on course, rather, it can hinder growth. A review process highlights areas where goals need to adapt to new realities—whether it’s changing customer needs, market trends, or technological advances.
Enhances motivation and morale
Research shows that 81.9% of employees feel more engaged when their contributions are recognised. Recognising progress during a goal review can be incredibly motivating. Celebrating achievements during goal review meetings can motivate, engage, and inspire your teams to tackle future challenges and reinforces a culture of success.
Improves decision-making
Whether it’s choosing where to invest resources or determining which projects to prioritise, clear, well-aligned goals make decision-making more straightforward.
Facilitates course correction
Just like a rocket requires regular adjustments to stay on its intended path, businesses benefit from regular course corrections. Review goals regularly to identify deviations early and implement necessary changes. These small but strategic adjustments can mean the difference between hitting or missing key targets.
Encourages continuous improvement
Goal reviews help cultivate a mindset of growth and improvement. When you consistently evaluate what’s working and what isn’t, you foster a culture that values learning and innovation. This iterative process can help your business remain competitive.
While the goal review intervals depend on the type of business, you must at the least schedule quarterly reviews, engage your team in the process, and use technology to track your progress and measure success. By doing so, you create a feedback loop that drives continuous alignment and improvement and lays the groundwork for long-term growth and sustainability.
Jeremy Lang is the managing director at Business Partners Limited
BUSINESS REPORT